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Unlocking the Power of Swashbuckler: A Deep Dive into its Damage Potential

The Swashbuckler perk is a potent offensive tool in Destiny 2, offering a damage boost based on specific actions. In its core function, Swashbuckler grants a 33% damage buff after landing a melee final blow (charged or uncharged). The perk operates on a stacking system, where dealing ranged or melee damage allows the user to store a portion of the dealt damage. This stored damage is then added to the subsequent attack, providing a temporary damage boost. However, the stored damage is capped at 200. While the core function provides a 33% buff, understanding how it stacks and interacts with other game mechanics is key to maximizing its potential.

Understanding Swashbuckler’s Mechanics

Swashbuckler’s damage buff is not just a flat increase. It’s a dynamic perk that requires active engagement to reach its maximum potential. Let’s break down the key aspects:

Melee Final Blow Activation: The most crucial aspect of the perk is the activation method: a melee final blow, be it a charged or uncharged melee. Upon landing the killing blow, the 33% damage bonus is triggered, significantly boosting the user’s next attack.
Damage Stacking: Before the melee kill provides the 33% damage buff, a portion of damage dealt (both ranged and melee) is stored. This stored damage is added to your next attack, further enhancing the damage potential of a single shot.
Damage Cap: The stored damage is capped at 200. This means, regardless of the damage output, a maximum of 200 damage can be stored for an increased initial attack. This is important to consider when building around the perk for the best use case.
Duration: The base duration of the buff is limited. The enhanced version of the perk increases the duration of the damage boost. This increased duration is generally considered a solid upgrade if Swashbuckler is the desired perk for your weapon.

Comparing Swashbuckler to Other Damage Perks

Swashbuckler doesn’t operate in a vacuum, and comparing it with similar perks like Rampage and Bait and Switch offers more perspective:

Swashbuckler vs. Rampage

Rampage requires consecutive kills to stack a damage buff, while Swashbuckler requires a melee kill to activate and also allows for the storage of a set amount of damage before providing a damage buff.
Swashbuckler, at maximum stacks, can achieve a higher DPS than Rampage at its maximum 3 stacks.
The tradeoff is that Swashbuckler requires you to either get 5 kills or a melee kill to get to those max stacks, while Rampage stacks with any weapon kill.
The best choice between the two depends on the specific activity and playstyle.

Swashbuckler vs. Bait and Switch

Bait and Switch is considered by many to be one of the best damage increasing perks in the game, granting a 35% damage increase.
Bait and Switch requires hitting an enemy with other guns, and it has more requirements for activation.
While Bait and Switch has an impressive damage increase, it’s only available on weapons from the Vow of the Disciple raid, making Swashbuckler a more readily accessible alternative.
Swashbuckler is arguably better in most situations, because it’s easier to activate.

How to Optimize Swashbuckler

Maximizing Swashbuckler’s effectiveness involves more than just using a weapon with the perk. Consider these optimization strategies:

Weapon Synergy: Pair weapons that can quickly build up the stored damage with your preferred melee weapon. This way you will have a strong opening shot to start your gameplay loop.
Melee Builds: Incorporate melee-focused subclass builds to easily trigger the Swashbuckler buff. This ensures you can reliably activate the 33% damage bonus.
Mobility: Utilizing movement abilities to get in and out of melee range quickly will help maintain the flow of damage.
Enhanced Perk: If you plan to consistently use Swashbuckler, the enhanced version is worth getting. The increased duration of the buff makes a huge difference.

Swashbuckler in Different Game Modes

The effectiveness of Swashbuckler varies across different game modes:

PvE (Player vs. Environment): Swashbuckler is highly effective in PvE, especially in activities with a high density of enemies. The ability to weave melee attacks between ranged damage makes for a strong gameplay loop.
PvP (Player vs. Player): Swashbuckler is still usable in PvP, but it requires much more careful play. A single melee kill does not guarantee safety, and the stored damage may not be enough to outgun an opposing player. The 33% damage buff is still potent, but harder to consistently activate.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How much damage does Swashbuckler store?

Swashbuckler stores damage dealt from both melee and ranged sources, but it is capped at 200.

2. Does Swashbuckler affect both melee and ranged damage?

No. Swashbuckler provides the 33% damage buff only after landing a melee final blow, it does not add to melee damage. The perk does store damage from melee and ranged before activating the 33% buff, and then adds that stored damage to the next ranged or melee attack.

3. Is Swashbuckler better than Rampage?

Swashbuckler can achieve a higher DPS at its maximum stacks than Rampage. The best perk for the given situation depends on gameplay style. Swashbuckler requires melee kills, while Rampage does not.

4. Is Enhanced Swashbuckler worth it?

Yes. Enhanced Swashbuckler increases the duration of the damage buff, which is very advantageous if you consistently use the perk.

5. Do Glaive melee attacks trigger Swashbuckler?

Yes. Glaive melee attacks can trigger the Swashbuckler perk and add the buff. However, the stored damage from ranged attacks applies to the next shot, not the melee attack itself.

6. Does the damage cap include the 33% damage buff?

No. The 200 damage cap is for the stored damage. The 33% damage buff is activated after the damage is stored upon landing a melee final blow.

7. Can Swashbuckler be used on all weapon types?

No. Swashbuckler is found on certain types of weapons like sidearms, swords, etc. The available list of weapons will change from season to season.

8. How long does the Swashbuckler buff last?

The base duration of the Swashbuckler buff is relatively short. The enhanced version of the perk increases the duration.

9. Does Swashbuckler work in PvP?

Yes, but it is less reliable than in PvE. The melee requirement can be risky in PvP engagements.

10. Can multiple Swashbuckler buffs stack?

No. The Swashbuckler buff does not stack, only the duration of the buff can be increased using enhanced versions of the perk.

11. Is Swashbuckler better for PvE or PvP?

Swashbuckler is generally better in PvE due to the higher density of enemies and the ease of getting melee kills.

12. How does Swashbuckler compare to other powerful damage perks like Bait and Switch?

Bait and Switch provides a 35% damage boost and is considered more powerful, but it is much harder to obtain due to its exclusivity to the Vow of the Disciple raid. Swashbuckler is more accessible.

13. What is the best class to use with Swashbuckler?

Classes with strong melee abilities, like the Titan, are especially good for using Swashbuckler.

14. Can Swashbuckler be paired with other damage perks?

Yes. Swashbuckler can be paired with other perks such as Rampage or other damage buffs to maximize DPS.

15. Is the Swashbuckler perk useful for solo play?

Yes, the Swashbuckler perk can be very helpful during solo play, as it provides a strong damage buff when a melee kill is available. This helps players to maintain a flow of damage.

Conclusion

The Swashbuckler perk is a powerful option for any Destiny 2 player looking to improve their damage output, with a 33% buff from a melee kill. While it may not be the most potent in raw damage increase, its accessibility and unique activation mechanic make it a great perk to use. By understanding its nuances and optimizing your play style, you can unleash the full potential of the Swashbuckler perk and dominate the battlefield.

What is the Swashbuckler perk damage?